What drives the pesticide user practices among farmers in tropical regions? A case study in Sri Lanka

Pesticides are widely used in tropical regions of the world, and therefore explorations of user practices and drivers of pesticide usage among farmers are important for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, perceptions, knowledge, and drivers leading to the practices of pesticide use among farmers were explored using a semi-structured questionnaire survey using 246 farmers in upcountry vegetable growing areas and low country field crop cultivation areas in tropical Sri Lanka. The study revealed a significant increase in pesticide usage in upcountry vegetable growing areas. The differences in pesticide user practices; adulteration of pesticides prior to application (χ2 = 11.201, p < 0.05), environmental and occupational safety (χ2 = 5.556, p < 0.05), adoption of chemical pesticide reduction methods (χ2 = 12.452, p < 0.05) and received training on effective use of pesticides (χ2 = 9.427, p < 0.05). Several reasons of misuse of pesticides by farmers were identified. Among them, lack of technical knowledge on pesticide application and integrated pest management (IPM) practices were the main courses. Most of the farmers tend to use pesticides as a precautionary safety measure before any pest or disease symptoms emerge. Further, pesticide retailers had a strong influence on the selection of pesticides by farmers suggesting that agro-marketing has a significant influence over pesticide usage among farmers. The canonical correspondence analysis indicates that farmers’ knowledge of the correct handling of pesticides were positively influenced by the farmers’ level of education and training received on pesticide usage ( p < 0.05). The study suggests the importance of training, extension services and farmer education to improve the levels of knowledge and awareness of farmers on the risks of pesticides to human health and environmental pollution.